title: A neurochemical characterisation of the golden hamster myenteric plexus.
abstract: The neurochemical composition of nerve fibres and cell bodies in the myenteric plexus of the proventriculus, stomach and small and large intestines of the golden hamster was investigated by using immunohistochemical and histochemical techniques. In addition, the procedures for localising nitric-oxide-utilising neurones by histochemical (NADPH-diaphorase) and immunohistochemical (nitric oxide synthase) methods were compared. The co-localisation of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and nitric oxide synthase in the myenteric plexus of all regions of the gut was also assessed. The results demonstrated the presence of nerve fibres and nerve cell bodies immunoreactive to protein gene product, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, tyrosine hydroxylase, 5-hydroxytryptamine and nitric oxide synthase in all regions of the gastrointestinal tract examined. The pattern of distribution of immunoreactive nerve fibres and nerve cell bodies containing the above markers was found to vary in different regions of the gut. Myenteric neurones and nerve fibres containing immunoreactivity to nitric oxide synthase and NADPH-diaphorase reactivity, however, were shown to have an identical distribution throughout the gut. In contrast to some studies on the guinea-pig and rat, the co-existence of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and nitric oxide synthase was seen in only a small population of myenteric neurones.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Toole
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belai
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Burnstock
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000032:analysis; D006224:Cricetinae; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000294:innervation; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000294:innervation; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000032:analysis; D011531:Proventriculus / Q000294:innervation; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis; D013270:Stomach / Q000294:innervation; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000032:analysis; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D009479:Neuropeptides; D012701:Serotonin; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide